MURRAY REGION
Once upon a time Hayley Clark couldn’t wait to leave the family farm and go to Melbourne. Now she’s found her happily ever after as a dairy farmer. Page 3.
Chair’s message
Winter has been icy but kind to region
BY RACHAEL NAPIER
WHAT A cold, cold winter
we’ve had!
But besides the thermometer boasting single digit figures for the best part of July, the winter hasn’t been that bad for our region.
I can’t recall any catastrophic weather events, and the best part of our region is green.
There has been the usual early movement on the temporary water market, and this year, a bit more gibberellic acid than usual is being sprayed about.
I’m hoping that our southern counterparts have had some rain by now, because parts of western Victoria and South Australia have been really struggling.
I’d love to see a bumper spring everywhere so we can all put a good bank of cheap feed away!
July had to be my least favourite month, and it’s got nothing to do with the cold — it’s the book work.
And to top it off, the accounting program we use needs re-licensing and upgrading every July (a thing which gives me pure anxiety).
The staff all get a pay rise and extra super, and the ATO want to reward our savvy farming practices with an invitation to pay some tax. It never ends.
But I guess if we’re paying tax, we had a good year (at least that’s
what the accountant tells me).
With a lower milk price this year, were going into it with the same game plan as last year — keep getting cows in calf, keep feed ahead of the cows, measure everything so we can track how we’re going, and conserve as much fodder as possible.
These are the things we can control.
I’m not going to guess or speculate about how we’re all going to finish up the 2024-25 season, but I came across this information last week. I thought I’d share it with you.
Hopefully you don’t need it, but perhaps you do, or someone you know might when finances get tight on farm things get tricky. The new Farm Household Allowance 10-year period started on July 1.
What does this mean? If you’ve used your four years of payments in this 10-year period, you may be eligible for four more years of FHA from July 1.
Get on the Centrelink website or get in touch with your local rural financial counsellor. It won’t be enough to pay your fertiliser bills, but it’ll put food on the table.
Fingers crossed for a great spring – Rachael Napier is the Murray Dairy chair.
Being the best with a diverse workforce
A culturally diverse workforce delivers many benefits for dairy farming. We’re looking for farmers that want to improve how they lead and develop a diverse team.
Dairy Australia together with Gardiner Foundation are developing a personalised one-on-one service to support dairy farmers with being the best possible employer.
For more information contact shane.byrne@murraydairy.com.au or register via the QR code.
Excited about a dairy future
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
GROWING UP on a family farm, Hayley Clark couldn’t wait to head out the gate and sample a new life away from life on the land.
“As a young kid my parents always took me out on the farm to do jobs and I loved being outside; as a teenager I didn’t like my parents telling me what to do and I definitely didn’t think I would ever be a dairy farmer,” Hayley said.
With her mind set on heading to Melbourne and university, Hayley took off to complete an engineering degree but came back home during COVID-19 in 2020.
“I worked on the farm over summer and found that I really liked it more than anything else I had done previously,” she said.
Hayley did continue on with her university degree, eventually swapping to computer science and a part-time arrangement, but she found herself increasingly drawn back to the farm.
“I was sitting at my computer for hours and hating not being outside and then I just decided that was it, I wanted to work on the farm with Mum and Dad.”
For the first couple of years Hayley was just a worker with no authority as she began to learn how the farm really worked.
“I certainly needed to know what I was doing before I could tell someone else what to do,” she laughed.
Hayley can’t believe how much she has learnt about running the farm, not only as a business but also from animal husbandry perspective.
Managing people has also been a huge
learning curve and Hayley is now directly involved in employing staff.
All the skills she is currently accumulating are helping Hayley to be the best farmer she can and she puts these into practice, especially when her parents Laurie and Gayle take some time away from the farm.
“There are a mix of things I love about farming,” Hayley said.
“There is the physical job of looking after the animals, which is a big part and I love being active, and then there is the business side, which makes me feel like I am physically building an asset for my own future.”
Hayley has begun purchasing cattle from the herd and every time one of her own animals calves and has a heifer, she can see her numbers increase.
She currently has around 30 head.
“My goal is to eventually take over the
day-to-day management of the farm — starting to buy animals a year ago is part of that transition.”
Hayley said her passion for breeding and genetics has come from her mum.
“Mum’s interest in cows over the years has sparked my own interest — Mum likes strength, chest width and good udders and she also breeds for longevity and I think that’s a pretty good combination.”
The Clarks are currently moving away from big Holsteins and are instead focusing on a more compact animal.
They have been using VikingGenetics for quite a few years now and are very happy with their progeny.
Hayley said her latest purchase is a recently calved heifer that entered the herd.
“She had only been in milk for 10 days, but she is always first in the dairy and she is wide
and strong and that’s the sort of cow I want to breed on from.”
Hayley said she has bought a few animals in what she would call a reluctant sale on her mum’s behalf.
“There have been a few she hasn’t really wanted to pass on.”
The only thing Hayley and Gayle differ on is Hayley’s love of Jerseys.
“Mum makes fun of me, but I like a few Jerseys and some red cows.
“They are my own area and I like looking through the semen catalogues and making my own breeding decisions — they are solely mine and while I don’t want a herd full of them, I will definitely always have a few.”
Hayley is currently completing a Certificate III in Dairy Production and she thinks she will probably go on to complete a Certificate IV as well.
The Clark family is currently milking 400 cows on 263ha at Katandra West. They run an irrigated grazing system with some land used for winter cropping.
They are currently looking into changing the calving pattern, calving four times a year over a shorter joining period.
“We aim to get around 140 heifers a year on the ground which is pretty easy to achieve with sexed semen. We use beef straws on the stale cows to reduce costs,” Hayley said.
As a second generation dairy farmer, Hayley sees a strong future for the dairy industry and agriculture in general.
“We need food producers in this country and the key is getting young people interested early so they can develop their skills and take on the next generation of farming.”
Young dairy farmer Hayley Clark has embraced life on her family’s Katandra West property. “Mum makes fun of me, but I like a few Jerseys and some red cows,” Hayley Clark says.
Some of the calves on the Clark farm.
Neil Jess Trav Gemma
Taking dairy outside the box
AN INNOVATIVE new collaboration between Murray Dairy, GOTAFE and Shepparton’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community is aiming to support farmers in attracting workers to dairy farming careers.
Fully funded by Agriculture Victoria, the collaboration aims to engage with diverse local communities, pilot GOTAFE’s new ‘goLearn’ online training platform and create clear pathways to a career in dairy.
As part of the collaboration, a family evening was recently held in Shepparton to provide information highlighting dairy as a great place to work and build careers.
Attendees from the local CALD community enjoyed food from their own culture as they heard about the advantages of embarking on a dairy career.
Melva Tyson from Murray Dairy joined Tonia Lincoln from GOTAFE in providing information about the dairy industry.
Declo Bisimwa, the founder and director of the Masomo Mbele (School First) African Australian Youth Leadership Foundation, spoke about his own experiences in dairy and also translated for the audience in English and Swahili.
“This type of evening was an exciting new approach for us, as we were able to break down some of the barriers that might otherwise exist for members of the local CALD community to understanding the great career opportunities open to them in the dairy industry,” Melva said.
“People are ready to start or continue to build on their careers and this can be life changing for many involved and affirmative progress for our region.”
Also in attendance were Murray Dairy board member Hamish Crawford and Jenny Wilson from the Gardiner Dairy Foundation.
Attendees were also treated to a special demonstration of GOTAFE’s new goLearn purpose-built training program, which will help members of the Shepparton CALD community to decide if dairy will be a place of opportunity for them for future employment. Murray Dairy is currently working alongside the other dairy regional development programs in Victoria — WestVic Dairy and GippsDairy — to deliver a one-on-one program to farm businesses that will enhance the attraction and retention of members from CALD communities in each region.
HOLSTEIN CLEARING SALE SUCCESS
By Jeanette Severs
Holstein enthusiasts from throughout northern and western Victoria, South Australia, NSW and Queensland competed to secure young Holstein cows at the Brurob Holsteins major dispersal sale on Friday, June 28.
Many of the buyers had successfully bought cattle in November last year, at Brurob Holsteins’ dispersal of spring calving first- and second-calvers.
Friday’s sale, held at Shepparton Regional Saleyards and online through Stocklive, saw all 103 cows sold. They were either in their first or second lactation, and autumn-calved.
The herd was the second-stage dispersal by JM Hiscock & Sons of Numurkah and Kilmore.
Rob Hiscock told Dairy News Australia the young cows were sold because he was retiring from the dairy industry.
He has sold his dairy farm, with properties at Numurkah and Kilmore.
“I sold the farm with a certain amount of mostly mature cows,” he said.
“There’s a fair bit of work in properly milking cows. I’ve spent my life breeding these cows. And now I’m selling them.”
A final sale later this year, of spring-calving heifers, will see the remainder of his registered herd dispersed.
On Friday, there were several volume buyers looking for young cattle.
The sale offering was milking an average of 38 litres, with a cell count of 16.
Sale average price was $3590, from a gross of $369,750. The 45 second-lactation cow, producing 42 litres at 20cc, averaged a return of $3902.
The 58 first-lactation cows, producing 35 litres at 12cc, averaged $3347.
The sale top price of $6200 was paid by Alan and Matt Dennis of Calivil, of Yonks Park Holsteins, for Lot 41, Brurob Tatoo Betsyann, classified VG86. A four-year-old cow, calved in February, she was artificially inseminated in June to Footprint.
“Brurob Tatoo Betsyann was recently classified VG86, completing 10 generations of EX and VG. She’s bred from the famed Cha-Hol Betsyann family,” Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said.
From the same maternal line, the Dennis family also purchased Lot 42, Brurob Kingdoc Betsyann VG86, also AI to Footprint, at $5600; and Lot 44, Brurob Dreambig Betsyann, at $3400.
Neville and Simon Wilkie of Crookslea Holsteins and Guernseys, Bacchus Marsh, purchased Lot 24, Brurob Tatoo Prima GP83, at $5700. This four-year-old cow calved in February and was joined by AI in May to Luxuor.
“This tremendous young cow is a second-lactation cow and sported a great udder,” Mr Leslie said.
Stephen and Leanne Coombes and family, Kalulla Park Holsteins, Attunga, NSW, selected nearly a dozen of the first and second lactation cows. They paid $5200 twice, for lots 34 and 39.
Lot 34, Brurob Radio Slide VG86, was
This exciting next step will run for three years and allow strong networks to develop across the regions while giving farmers firsthand support when employing CALD community members.
For more information on how Murray Dairy can support careers in the dairy industry, call (03) 4811 6008.
Melva Tyson, workforce attraction project lead, Murray Dairy.
The top-priced cow sold at the second stage dispersal of Brurob Holsteins herd on
First in Milk Champion Heifer and Grand Champion All Breeds Youth Show at International Dairy Week 2023. The fouryear-old cow calved in March.
Lot 39, Brurob Dropkick Betsyann, another four-year-old young cow with a calf on the ground in February, is milking 51 litres, and was AI in May to Actionman.
The Coombes family bid online, and started picking up their new young herd by paying $4700 for Lot 5, Brurob Kingdoc Eloise VG85, calved in February and AI in May to Footprint.
They also paid $4600 each for Lot 45 Brurob Stchief Elegance GP83 and Lot 48 I Like’Em Undenied Mary GP84. Both
four-year-old cows were calved in February and rejoined — Lot 45 is AI to Rubels Red and Lot 48 is AI to Actionman.
Another volume buyer — Grant and Nikki Ryder, from the Upper Kiewa Valley — were buying to increase their herd size. They bought about one-third of the cows on offer.
Another volume buyer also purchased about one-third of the consignment.
“The line of cows on offer here today were an exceptional quality with good udders,” Mr Leslie said.
“We enjoyed selling these cows because they were so good and they will do well for everyone who bought them.”
Declo Bisimwa spoke about his own experience in dairy, as well as translating for the audience in English and Swahili.
Some of the audience, with presenters Melva Tyson from Murray Dairy (far right) and Declo Bisimwa (second from right).
June 28. Brurob Tatoo Betsyann sold for $6200.
Photo: Andrew Cullen
Gold medals for Stanhope
BY ANDY WILSON
FONTERRA’S STANHOPE site won two gold and five silver awards for its products — including mozzarella, ricotta and cheddar cheese — in the 2024 Dairy Industry Association of Australia dairy product awards.
The Stanhope processor is home to the brand Perfect Italiano, which also had its parmesan recognised.
Fonterra’s northern regional operations manager Steve Taylor said the company was honoured that its cheese had again be recognised.
“At Stanhope, we’ve been making cheese for more than 100 years,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s an honour to continue this great legacy and be recognised again for our expert craft and quality milk thanks to our northern Victorian farmers.
“These awards are a fantastic recognition of our dairy know-how, our dedicated farmers and our entire team at Stanhope.”
Shayna Street is the quality manager at the Stanhope site whose key task is to ensure the company’s products are at their highest quality when they reach customers.
GIRGARRE CHEESE IS A WINNER
An ACM cheddar cheese has beaten up to 15 entries to win first prize at Australia’s renowned dairy product awards.
The Victorian dairy processor claimed first prize in the national competition with the ‘highest scoring’ cheddar cheese at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia Awards recently.
This win came after the 20kg cheese — sold mostly as an ingredient into the domestic food service industry, retailers and high-value export markets — took out the
same award in the state competition.
With up to 75 per cent of ACM’s milk going into cheese production, ACM chief commercial officer Ryan Reynolds said this recognition was a credit to everyone.
“From our 320 dairy farm suppliers, to those working in the Girgarre processing facility and all our dairy communities — this award shows the commitment to quality, craftsmanship and innovation within our industry,” Mr Reynolds said.
“At ACM, it’s these valued relationships
Dr Street has brought her biological expertise over from a former career in immunology to work in the cheese industry and said consistency was the key to her role.
“For me it is around the customers knowing what they are getting, that the cheese will work and taste just the same every single time,” Dr Street said.
“For mozzarella, we test for several attributes before selling it, including making pizzas nearly every day to make sure it looks the right colour, it melts well and most importantly that it tastes right.
“We take pride in wanting to give the customer what they are looking for.”
that make awards, like this, possible. We are incredibly proud of what everyone has achieved.”
This cheese gold medal came 12 months after ACM was awarded the prize for the nation’s ‘highest scoring’ butter for three consecutive years.
This year, a gold in the Victorian dairy whey powder competition and a silver for its skim milk powder in the state categories, added to the swag of trophies travelling back up the highway to Girgarre from
Melbourne.
For Mr Reynolds, these trophies symbolise the hours of effort and dedication that goes into producing high-value dairy products.
“Consistent national and state recognition for various dairy products shows that ACM delivers quality year-in-year-out,” he said.
“We also use these awards in our product promotions to customers — the gold medals independently verify what they already know about ACM’s products.”
Stanhope’s cheese team of Nick Gugliotti, Adrian Jackson, Andrew Jerram, Abby Gugliotti and Abbey Barry-Pell won two gold and five silver awards at this year’s DIAA dairy product awards.
Research is proving fruitful
BY MURRAY DAIRY
IT’S NOT an easy climate in northern Victoria these days to get dairy research funded and undertaken in the region, particularly now that Agriculture Victoria has largely reduced its research and service capacity in the space.
To overcome these limitations, senior lecturer in livestock nutrition and grazing management Paul Cheng, at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie College, Murray Dairy’s executive officer and strategic projects manager Amy Fay and Murray Dairy’s research and innovation coordinator Yvette Williams have joined forces.
The fruitful relationship between the two teams was established six years ago with a strong support from former Murray Dairy CEO Jenny Wilson, and it is now providing a local solution to declining funding across the board that is effectively and efficiently driving relevant outcomes to our local dairy and forage industries.
Four years ago, Murray Dairy obtained a grant from the Federal Government under the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program to undertake research around forage cropping for dairy production systems.
Under the Fodder for the Future project (https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/ resource-repository/2024/01/10/fodder-forthe-future), research providers delivered forage cropping trials around the region, including the University of Melbourne at Dookie College.
This project provided valuable insight into quality and yield of key winter cereal and summer forages for dairy consumption, and the associated agronomic challenges and opportunities for growing fodder in the Murray region.
The dataset generated from this project has also been used by Paul’s team, with a Victorian Drought Hub Agriculture Innovation Grant, to model enteric (that is, cow-generated) methane output and intensity, when the quality of hay in the diet was varied. (Go to: https://vicdroughthub.org. au/news-events/media-releases/release/
STAR BULL IS OUT TO PASTURE
One of Australia’s best known and most reliable bulls, MAEBULL, has been retired from active service.
Calister MAEBULL, the Genetics Australia Holstein born and raised in northern Victoria, leaves with more than 4500 milking daughters and many thousands more in non-herd-tested herds.
He was recently retired from Genetics Australia just short of his 12th birthday.
MAEBULL was the oldest bull on-centre and was one of the last bulls relocated from Parwan Park to the Glenormiston quarantine property following the purchase of TLG in 2021.
Selected for progeny testing in 2013, MAEBULL has forged a career both in Australia and internationally as a reliable bull leaving a consistent group of daughters known for their health and management traits.
Genetics Australia chief executive officer Anthony Shelly said MAEBULL was lucky to have been selected to be progeny tested.
“When we selected our teams in 2013, it was still in the early days of genomic testing and our bulls were primarily selected on genomics,” Mr Shelly said.
“MAEBULL was the lowest bull in the team and we debated whether to proceed with him.
“However, we liked his cow family and felt he offered something different in our team at the time, so decided to proceed with him.
“We’re pleased that we did. He ended up graduating with flying colours and outlasted all the other bulls selected at the time.”
Mr Shelly said not only was Genetics Australia pleased with the decision, so were many farmers in Australia and overseas — with MAEBULL rating 99 per cent reliable for most traits.
He has daughters milking in New Zealand and the first of his daughters are now calving in Pakistan where he has been used for heat stress, given his 104 Australian Breeding Value for heat tolerance.
“He puts a great foundation in herds and his black medium-statured daughters with high daughter fertility and low cell count are some of the reasons farmers go back and use him again and again,” Mr Shelly said.
MAEBULL was purchased from Calister Holsteins in Calivil after coming in as an embryo imported from the United States by Craig Lister.
“I had a lot of faith in the Lead Mae cow family that he came from,” Mr Lister said.
“It was one of the families I had long admired, so when it was cost effective to
fodder-project-looks-at-dairy-and-reducedghg-emissions)
The collaboration is providing a broader understanding of conserved forage-based dairy production systems.
This is particularly valuable as many businesses in the region consider the impacts of changing feedbase systems into the future.
Despite dairy research funding declining in the space, the two teams again collaborated to secure multi-million dollar funding from the fodder industry for a long-term project to explore the contribution value of oaten hay to dairy cow diets.
The project outputs will help the production of high-quality hay which will benefit both dairy producers and forage growers.
Additionally, the project will assist Australia’s continued access to the growing international oaten hay market.
Another key benefit being realised is the development and training of students.
Murray Dairy is assisting the support of two University of Melbourne PhD students who are
import embryos, it was one that I targeted.
“In this game, you get used to bulls not turning out quite as well as you’d hoped, but you get surprised by others.
“MAEBULL turned out to be one who surprised us pleasantly.”
Calister Holsteins has many MAEBULL daughters in the herd.
“I judge him by the performance of his daughters,” Mr Lister said.
“He made robust, functional cows with all the health traits that are required for a modern dairy cow.
“He epitomises our breeding goal.
“I have a lot of MAEBULL daughters to attest to my faith in him. His eldest daughter is classified Excellent and is still going well.”
investigating aspects of digestion of conserved cereal forages and how that impacts dairy production.
The collaboration between the university and Murray Dairy means the research can target topics of interest to the local industry.
Also, the students have the opportunity to be exposed to the more practical side of the dairy industry through attending Murray Dairy events and can then get a better understanding of how their research relates to practical outcomes.
Murray Dairy has also hosted undergraduate and master’s degree students for an internship, where the students get to see how the organisation operates and undertake a small project.
This provides the students with valuable work experiences and builds the capacity of the local industry as students seek out employment opportunities.
Both organisations continue to look for areas where they can collaborate and drive research outcomes that are relevant to the local industry.
MAEBULL has been retired from active service.
Calivil dairy farmer Craig Lister, who imported MAEBULL from the US as an embryo.
Dr Yi Ma, Dr Paul Cheng and Mrs Zhi Hang.
Natalie Schlitz, Yvette Williams and Amy Fay.
FUNDING BOOST FOR DAIRY COMMUNITIES
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and the Gardiner Foundation have awarded $36,881 to eight community groups across northern Victoria for local initiatives that will support, strengthen and sustain their dairying regions.
This year, the community-led projects include:
Building resilience and cultural vibrancy in Lockington, by providing musical equipment for the Locky Ukers’ community ukele practice and performance.
Building community resilience through extending Girgarre’s community-run nursery to support volunteers and grow plants for the local Gargarro botanic garden.
Helping the Greta Valley Landcare Group establish a safe and educational pathway for accessing the King River from Moyhu.
Purchasing a new photocopier for the Murrabit Advancement Association, to support a monthly community newsletter.
Building the resilience of primary school children in Moira Shire through a mental health program with local facilitators.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said the organisation’s longstanding partnership with FRRR had enabled it to invest more than $2.4 million in Victoria’s dairying regions.
“The Community Grants Program aims to support purpose-driven, not-forprofit organisations in rural and regional Victoria by enhancing their capacity to serve their local communities effectively,” Mr Cameron said.
“Since the program began in 2003, we have supported over 600 projects across the state. These grants provide crucial
financial support to community groups, helping them overcome challenges as they work to revitalise their communities.”
FRRR’s Jill Karena said the impact of the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants
program over the past 22 years was a testament to what is possible.
“Not-for-profits work tirelessly to strengthen and grow the social and cultural fabric of their communities,” Ms Karena said.
“But with current the economic landscape and climate-related transitions impacting Victoria, keeping these organisations up and running is becoming exceedingly difficult.
“Therefore, it's not surprising that this year we saw a predominant need from community groups for funding to develop organisational resilience and capacity.
“Victoria’s dairy regions are resilient and resourceful, and we have seen, first-hand, the transformational change and outcomes that local people can achieve when they have access to funding.”
Farm values keep climbing
BY GEOFF ADAMS
THE GOULBURN region of northern Victoria recorded a 10 per cent increase in farmland values in 2023, according to the latest property data.
The median price for farmland grew to about $14,000 per hectare, marking the 10th consecutive year of growth for the region.
The growth rate had eased since the previous year when a 27 per cent rise was recorded by the Rural Bank Australian Farm Land Values report.
The Goulburn region has achieved a 10-consecutive year increase, the longest run of its kind in the state.
However, the number of transactions declined last year, with just 208 sales recorded.
The report attributed the growth in median price to a reduced frequency of low-priced transactions.
Lower priced transactions have declined and a higher number of transactions above $25,000/hectare have been recorded.
Kevin Hicks Real Estate director Kevin Hicks acknowledged the steady growth of property
prices in the Goulburn district, but also pointed out that different commodities were performing differently.
He said while broadacre land values were firm, horticulture prices were disappointing and there was some buyer hesitation over dairy land, due to the lower farm gate milk prices announced this season.
Mr Hicks said while the Goulburn region didn’t have the flair of major tourist attractions or other elite commodities, it has consistent commercial value.
“It’s a very business-driven economy.”
Commenting on trends in sales, Mr Hicks said larger scale businesses were aggregating neighbouring properties and using irrigation infrastructure to develop new intensive crops.
Some former dairy farms were also purchased by broadacre farmers and converted to cropping.
Demand for dairying properties mirrored the fortunes of the industry, with renewed interest when milk prices improved to more than $9/kg of milk solids, but tapering off with the lower starting price this season.
“A lot of dairy folk had exited over the last five years because of the poor commodity
price,” Mr Hicks said.
“It was just starting to strengthen. We wouldn’t want it to fall any further.
“Commodity issues in the horticulture area are also affecting genuine retirees wanting to process a sale.
“They have high-performing properties that suit the horticultural industry, requiring a higher price due to infrastructure inputs, but now we are struggling to get the inquiry because of the poor commodity offset.”
More broadacre farmers were looking to irrigated land to plant high-value crops.
Rural Bank head of agribusiness development Andrew Smith said the key drivers of farmland values look set to remain in a holding pattern in 2024.
“It is increasingly likely that the market will now see a plateau in farmland values,” he said.
The Rural Bank report shows the past 10 years have seen the national median price for Australian farmland triple, rising by 201 per cent at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6 per cent. This rate of growth is well ahead of the longer-term 20-year CAGR of 8.4 per cent.
The national median price per hectare
increased by 6.4 per cent in 2023 to $9575/ha, marking the 10th consecutive year of growth, but also the second-lowest year of growth across the decade.
“While rural property remained very much in demand, record low supply helped push farmland values to new record highs in 2023 with many regions experiencing exceptional growth in values, particularly in Western Australia,” Mr Smith said.
Western Australia has become the national leader in farmland value growth. Median price growth of 32.6 per cent in 2023 has helped the state boast a five-year CAGR of 25.6 per cent, followed by Victoria with a CAGR of 17.2 per cent.
“A continuing tightening in the number of transactions is helping to drive price growth across the nation’s 39 regions with 44 per cent recording growth of more than 20 per cent in 2023. With eight of the top 10 growth regions in 2023 recorded in Western Australia, South Australia or Tasmania,” Mr Smith said.
The Goulburn region includes Campaspe, Moira, Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie, Mitchell and Murrundindi municipalities.
While overall property prices have steadily increased, the value of dairy properties has been more punctuated in the past 10 years.
Real estate agent Kevin Hicks.
The Friends of Gargarro Nursery at Girgrarre are among the groups receiving funding in dairy communities.
Jersey stud in the spotlight
BY GEOFF ADAMS
JERSEY BREEDERS got to see the work of successful breeder Frank Walsh at grassroots level as part of the annual Jersey Australia tour in late May.
About 90 people on the tour visiting the Goulburn Valley called at the Walsh Windy Ways farm at Tongala.
Although Frank has formally retired and the stud has been taken over by son Tim, Tim’s wife Jodie and their son Tom, the evidence of decades of good breeding was evident in the 300-head herd inspected by the visiting farmers.
The Walsh family has shown a number of International Dairy Week champions.
Tim told the visiting breeders the farm milks between 300 and 320 head, calving down in a split pattern between spring and autumn and milked in a 32-stand rotary.
“We didn’t want to go completely seasonal, but we want to spread the operation over the seasons,” Tim said.
“We can grow some good grass over winter, so it’s well worth keeping the milk in the vat. And we spread the workload over the year.”
The operation is over 110ha and milks off 45ha.
The farm sits next to the town of Tongala, but that hasn’t been a problem as the community accepts the dairy operation.
The business engages Tim and Tom, with help from other members of the family and a permanent parttime worker.
The Jersey genetics include the families of Duchess, Primrose, Dawn, Babes and Belles.
NEW DAIRY STARTER HAS GRAND DREAMS
While the industry wrestles with lower opening milk prices this season, a new player is establishing himself with his first business.
Todd Brown, 29, is setting up his first dairy farm at Stanhope on 40 hectares — but his move from sharefarming has not been without some challenges.
The dates from when he finished sharefarming and started his own place did not match, so he has had most of his herd parked on other farms, while he finishes the reconstruction of his new shed.
On his home block in Lorenz Rd, he has had to milk a few cows that have calved down, with a single milking machine.
Todd played host to a visiting group of farmers with Jersey Australia in late May, so he apologised for the incomplete state of the farm, although the visitors seemed to appreciate the challenges of getting started from the ground floor.
He planned to milk about 80 cows on his Grand Dreams stud when the eight-aside herringbone shed became operational soon after the visit.
“Things have been hectic over the last couple of months,” he said.
Todd moved down from Queensland about five years ago from his family dairy farm.
“I was offered a job down here on a farm at Strathmerton and decided to make the leap to get into dairying here, and ended up loving it.
“Gradually I moved into sharefarming,
and in the meantime, purchased this farm.” Eventually he hopes to purchase more land and lift his herd numbers.
He has purchased cows from the Walshs’ Windy Ways stud and the Nicholsons’ Jugiong stud.
His favoured genetics include the Merle family and Illusion and Dawn dams.
Three generations of the Walsh family (from left) Tom, Frank and Tim at the Windy Ways stud.
The Jersey herd at Windy Ways averaged 520kg/cow this year.
Anthony Michael from Mayberry Jerseys in Deniliquin visiting Windy Ways stud at Tongala.
Tim Walsh addresses the visitors at his Windy Ways stud.
Geoff Akers from Tallygaroopna with John Sykes and Jane Sykes from Ringarooma, north-eastern Tasmania.
Todd Brown played host to visitors with a Jersey Australia tour.
Heifers at Todd Brown’s Grand Dreams stud at Stanhope Harry Brown, 7, comforts a grand dame of the herd, 13-year-old Bralock Minister Tiffany EX 92.